What does leadership really look like when the cameras are off?

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, I sit down with Amy Murray, Partner at Pavone Group, for a conversation that goes beyond titles and success stories. We talk honestly about what it means to be a partner — the responsibility, the sleepless nights, the weight of decisions, and the moments that test you in ways no job description ever could.

Amy shares her 30+ year journey growing alongside one company as it evolved from a small startup into a multi-agency organization. Along the way, we unpack how early life lessons shape the way we lead, why institutional memory can quietly become a risk, and how leadership has changed in a faster, more data-driven world.

What stood out to me most was how deeply personal leadership is for Amy — from her love of handwritten thank-you notes to the influence of her mother, her faith, and the people who helped her along the way. This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about strategy or growth — it’s about intention, resilience, and the small choices that leave a lasting impact.

If you’ve ever wondered whether leadership is supposed to feel this heavy… you’re not alone.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• What becoming a partner really requires
• The loneliness that often comes with leadership
• How perseverance and problem-solving are learned early
• The hidden risks of relying on institutional memory
• Why asking better questions builds stronger teams
• How small, thoughtful actions can matter more than big moments

About My Guest

Amy Murray is a Partner at Pavone Group, a multi-agency marketing and communications organization. With more than three decades of experience, Amy has helped guide the company through growth, diversification, and change — always with a people-first approach.

🌐 pavonegroup.com

📧 abeamer@pavone.net

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Thanks so much for being here! I’m grateful you’re part of this community.

— Claudia

#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #WomenInLeadership #BusinessGrowth #CareerJourney #Resilience #LeadershipPodcast #MarketingLeadership #AgencyLife #LeadershipBackstage #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipMatters #LeadershipTips

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, host Claudia Williams sits down with Steve Williams, a leading expert in landlord-tenant law and the managing partner of Cohen Segs Palace, Greenhall, and Furman.

Steve shares his remarkable journey from working in a small real estate firm to leading a multi-state national law practice. Discover how he approaches leadership, business development, rainmaker-tactician dynamics, firm culture, professional growth, and the evolving landscape of client relationships.

He also opens up about work-life balance, a major health scare, and his heartfelt advice for young lawyers looking to build a purposeful and successful career.

If you enjoy conversations that unpack real leadership, legal practice, and professional growth—don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Backstage

01:21 Meet Steve Williams: Legal Expert and Managing Partner

03:45 Steve's Journey to Cohen Segs

05:39 Challenges and Leadership at Cohen Segs

00:39 Balancing Business Development and Legal Expertise

02:36 The Importance of Firm Culture and Opportunities

14:11 Navigating Professional Growth and Firm Structure

24:18 Committee Structures and Firm Management

30:40 Investing in People and Technology

32:15 Steve's Path from Trial Lawyer to Leader

32:46 Managing Partner Journey

33:45 Balancing Careers and Family Life

34:15 Work-Life Balance Challenges

40:54 Building a Professional Network

49:24 Health Scare and Team Support

53:08 Advice for Young Lawyers

57:33 Firm Services and Conclusion

#Leadership #LawFirm #BusinessDevelopment #ProfessionalServices #ClientRelationships #WorkLifeBalance #EntrepreneurMindset #LawyerLife #LeadershipBackstage #LegalProfession

In this episode of Leadership Backstage, we sit down with Betsy Hamm, whose career journey spans from a marketing intern at Hershey to the CEO of Duck Donuts, one of the most beloved franchise brands in the world.

Betsy takes us behind the scenes of scaling a family-owned business into an international franchise, navigating rapid growth, maintaining consistency, and leading through major organizational change. She also opens up about the challenges women face in leadership, why strategic planning matters, and how relationships and team culture drive long-term success.

From surviving early career mistakes to launching a new business of her own, Betsy shares actionable lessons, candid stories, and leadership insights for anyone navigating growth, franchising, team building, or entrepreneurship.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Backstage

00:15 Meet Betsy Hamm: From Roller Coasters to Donuts

00:59 Betsy’s Career Journey: From Marketing to CEO

03:08 The Rise of Duck Donuts: From Local to Global

06:24 Challenges of Franchising & Maintaining Consistency

10:14 Navigating Rapid Growth & Scaling

16:43 Transitioning Leadership & Private Equity

24:40 Working with Founders & Driving Change

29:30 Universal Business Strategies

31:05 Learning from Mistakes

33:09 Proud Moments & Career Highlights

34:48 Launching a New Venture

37:00 Supporting Women in Leadership

46:01 Professional Development & Growth

54:05 Strategic Planning for Business Success

56:49 Closing Thoughts & Contact Info

#LeadershipBackstage #BetsyHamm #DuckDonuts #WomenInLeadership

#Entrepreneurship #Franchising #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipPodcast

#CareerDevelopment #ScalingBusinesses #CEOInsights #LeadershipJourney

Welcome to Episode 1 of Leadership Backstage, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the REAL, unfiltered truth about leadership, growth, and the often-lonely journey behind the title.

In this solo kickoff episode, host Claudia Williams shares her personal story, from growing up in a traditional Italian-American household to building a powerful career in law, consulting, and leadership development. With more than 30 years of experience working with CEOs, founders, and executive teams, Claudia reveals the mindset shifts, blind spots, and defining lessons that shape extraordinary leaders.

This episode explores:

🔹 Why leadership feels lonely and why that’s normal

🔹 The importance of organizational design and people decisions

🔹 How childhood & early influences shape leadership styles

🔹 What Claudia learned working with global CEOs

🔹 Why continuous learning is the ultimate advantage

🔹 The mission of Leadership Backstage and what to expect next

If you're a founder, executive, team leader, or an aspiring leader, this podcast will help you grow with more clarity, courage, and confidence.

Subscribe and join us for honest stories, tactical strategies, and conversations that take you beyond the title… and backstage into real leadership.

00:00 – Welcome to Leadership Backstage

01:00 – Meet Your Host: Claudia Williams

01:48 – How Leadership Shapes Us

04:45 – What This Podcast Is Really About

06:09 – Claudia’s Story & Early Influences

10:32 – Career Lessons from Working with Leaders

16:31 – Final Thoughts & What’s Coming Next

#LeadershipBackstage #ClaudiaWilliams #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveDevelopment #LeadershipGrowth #BusinessLeadership #CEOMindset #FounderMindset #LeadershipLessons #PersonalGrowth #OrganizationalDesign